Advertising, indicating, and displaying device



Oct..4, 1938. N. SANDOR ET AL 2,132,085

ADVERTISING, INDICATING, AND DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 4, 1938. N. SANDOR ET AL ADVERTISING, INDICATING. AND DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 He. J

Oct. 4, 1938. N. SANDYOR ET AL 2,132,085

ADVERTISING, INDICATING, AND DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 4, 1938. N. SANDOR ET AL 2,132,085

ADVERTISING, INDICATING, AND DISPLAYING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F/GZ T I "I 1 5 5 7 2 9 l B3 '35 54 (I 4/ ll QT"?W/ Patented Oct. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES ADVERTISING, INDICATING, AND DISPLAY- IN G DEVICE Nicholas Sandor and Felix Edward Laszlo Sandor,

Surbiton, England, assignors to S. M. Limited,

London, England Application December 15, 1937, Serial No. 180,014 In Great Britain September 30, 1936 6 Claims.

This invention relates to advertising, indicating anddisplaying devices. More particularly the invention relates to such devices in which a plurality of frames containing the matter to be displayed aredisposed in a cabinet having a display Window and are adapted to be selectively brought behind the display window by depression of one of a series of buttons or keys. The invention has for its object to provide a simplified construction of mechanism for' displacing the frames.

In accordance with the invention there is associated with each of the frames one or more fluid operated pistons or plungers movable in. cylinders and adapted to raise the frames into position opposite the display window, the supply of fluid for this purpose to the cylinder or cylinders being controlled by depression of the corresponding button or key. Suitably compressed air is employed as the operating medium. The com pressed air may be stored in a container and the pressure maintained by an electric motor and compressor automatically. The release of the button or key permits the air to escape from the cylinder or cylinders allowing the frames to return to initial position.

Preferably in order to reduce the number of frames to be elevated each frame is provided with'indicia at two levels, the frame being raised either to bring the indicia at one level opposite the display window, or being raised further to bring the indicia at a second or lower level opposite the display window. In order to control the level to which the frames are raised each of the piston rods may be provided with a stop corresponding to one level of the frames and a perforated plate provided through which the piston rods pass, the perforations in one position allowing the stops to pass and in another presenting abutments to the stops," this plate being adapted to be moved by an electromagnet energized on depression of certain of the keys adapted to bring the frames to one level. In a modification those of the keys or buttons intended to raise the frames to the higher level are arranged so as to move aside a stop which limits the upward movement of the frames to the first level.

The supply of compressed air to the piston and its escape are controlled by way of a two-way valve establishing in one position communication between the compressed air supply and the cylinder or cylinders and in another position establishing communication between the cylinder 01: cylinders and theatmosphere.

In a preferred form of the invention a common container is provided for the supply of compressed air to all of the cylinders, a valve block being interposed between the container and the conduits leading from this container to the various cylinders. Between the compressed air container and each conduit is interposed in a common valve block, a valve which is normally pressed by a spring against its seatwithin the container preventing'passage of compressed air from the container to the conduit but adapted to be depressed by means of alever operated by button. or key and engaging a. socketmember connected with the valve to allow air to pass to the corresponding cylinder or cylinders. Around the valve spindle between each socket and the valve housing is interposed a rubber tube which on depression of the socket member is compressed between the socket member and the Wall/of the valve housing preventing escape of air around the spindle while the valve is off its seat. On upward movement of the socket member and of the spindle due to release of the button or key the valve seats again, preventing escape of air from the container while the rubber tubing extends again, allowing air from the cylinder or cylinders to pass from the conduit and escape around the valve spindle.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany ing drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the lower part of a display cabinet with the front panel removed and the key board broken away to show the actuating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the panel removed. Fig. 3 is a part section through one of the two way valves. Fig. 4 is an isometric projection of one arrangement for controlling the movement of the piston rods for raising the display frames to one of two levels. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the piston rods. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the upper portion of a display cabinet illustrating a different arrangement for controlling the elevation of the display frames and Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof. 7

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I denotes a cabinet containing a series of display frames 2 disposed one behind the other on which is provided the information which it is the function of the particular apparatus to impart. These display frames are shown as provided with indicating panels 3 at two levels and are suitably disposed in guides, 3a, and are each supported by a piston or plunger 4 movable in a cylinder 5:.and adapted to raise the frame 2 into position to bring one of the panels 3 opposite a display window in the cabinet, the supply of plungeractuating fluid to each cylinder 5 being controlled by depression of .a corresponding button or key 6 on the key board I. For this purpose there is mounted in the cabinet a valve block 8 provided with a plurality offtwo way valves, one corresponding to each button or key or one correspending to each pair of buttons or keys and with a common chamber l0 extending the full length of the block to which air is supplied under pressure by way of a container H the air being delivered to the container from a compressor [2 by way of a pipe l3. Each valve comprises a valve member l4 adapted to be held against its seating l5 by a spring I6, a rubber washer I! being adapted to close the outlet around the stem l 8 when the valve 14 is seated. Around the valve stem l8 at its upper end is a rubber or like tube l9 surrounded by a cap 20 the rubber tubing being adapted to close the upper outlet around the valve stem l8 to the outer 'air when the cap 20 is depressed. When the valve cap 20 is depressed the valve I4 is moved on its seat against the action of spring I3, and compressed air may pass from the chamber l0 around the valve stem 18 and through the pipe 21 to the corresponding cylinder 5 and when the'valve cap 20 isreleased communication between the common valve chamber l0 and the corresponding cylinder is interrupted and communication'between the cylinder andlthe outer air established by way of the pipe" 2| and the space around the valve stem l8. Each' valve cap 20 isoperated through a lever 22 and a push rod 23 by means of one of the buttons or keys 6, so'that on depression of a key 6 the compressed air is delivered to the associated cylinder and the plunger or piston and its display frame raised. .In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 air under pressure is supplied to the container II by a compressor l2, driven by a motor 25, the motor being started and stopped automatically by means of a switch ,(not shown) controlled by the pressure in the container.

'In the embodiment illustrated each display frame is provided with indicia at two. levels as indicated by the two panels 3 the display frame being raised either to bring the indicia atone level opposite the'display window or being raised further to bring the indicia at a second or lower level opposite the display window. For this purpose, in the arrangement shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each of the piston rods 4 is provided with'a lug or projection 26 corresponding to one level of the indicia 3 and these piston rods extend through a movable plate 21 provided with oval perforations 28. In the position of the plate 21 shown in Fig. 4 on upward movement of the piston rods 4 the lugs or projections '26 on the piston rods 4 strike the sides of the plate 21 adjacent the perforations 28 with the consequence that the frames 2 are moved only to their first level displaying the upper indicia 3 on the frame 2. If the plate 21 is moved to the right from the position shown in Fig. 4 the piston rods bear on the other ends of the oval. perforations and the projections 26 may pass through the perforations 28 in the plate raised to the full height to display the lower panel 3. g

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the elevation of the frames to first or second level is controlled by means of a stop bar 32 which is carried by pivoted levers 33. 7 7

Each key 6. adapted to raise the frame to the first level to display the upper panel 3 only, has a block 34 mounted on the corresponding push rod 23 and this block acts through a transverse bar 35, pivotally mounted double-armed levers 36 and a rod 31 provided at its upper end with a pawl 38 adapted to engage a disc 39 fixed on a shaft 48. On shaft 40 is mounted pivoted levers 33 supporting the stop bar 32. A spring 4| anchored to an abutment 42 on the bar 31 and. a fixed stop 43 on the structure normally serves to hold the pawl 38 out of engagement with the disc 39. On depression of a key 6 adapted to raise the corresponding frame to display the upper panel 3, the block 34 on the rod 23 is depressed thus rocking the transverse bar 35 and forcing the pawl 38 into engagement with the disc 39 against the action of the spring 4|, thus locking the stop bar 32in theposition shown, and preventingfurther upward movement of the frame.

On depression of a key 6 to display the lower panel 3 on a frame the double armed lever .35 is 7 not rocked about its pivot and therefore the pawl 38 does not lock the disc 34, consequently the stop bar 32 is free to move and is moved on the upward movement of theframe 2'.

We claim:- 1. A display device comprising a cabinet, an

observation window insaid cabinet, .a plurality.

of frames said frames containing cards to be displayed and being. disposed laterally of said' observation window and movable in-jsaid cabinet,

one card of a tier'is opposite the observation window, others of said keys serving tomove the frames to the full extent to display the other cards of the tiers.

2. A displaydevice comprising a cabinet, an observation window in said cabinet, a plurality of frames said frames containing cards to be displayed and being disposed laterally of said observation window and movable in said cabinet,v

said cards disposed in two tiers one card above another, a plurality of keys correspondingto the display cards, a plurality of fluid motors asso ciated with said frames'for moving said frames,

in said cabinet, said fluid motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston movable in said 'cylinder and carrying a frame, a plurality of valves for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from said fluid motors, said valves operable by said keys and means associated with some of said keys ensuring stoppage of the movement of the frames associated with said keys with the cards at one level, said means comprising projections on the pistons, a slotted plate through which the pistons with their projections may pass and means for moving said plate into a position 'to act as an abutment to said projections.

3. A display device comprising a cabinet, an

observation window in said cabinet, a plurality of frames said frames containing cards to be displayed and being disposed laterally of said observation window and movable in said cabinet, said cards disposed in two tiers one card above another, a plurality of keys corresponding to the display cards, a plurality of fluid motors associated with said frames for moving said frames in said cabinet, said fluid motors each comprising a cylinder and a piston movable in said cylinder and carrying a frame, a plurality of valves for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from said fluid motors, said valves operable by said keys and means associated with some of the keys ensuring stoppage of the movement of the associated frame at one level, said means comprising projections on the pistons and a slotted plate through which the pistons with their projections may pass and an electromagnet operable to move said plate into a position to act as an abutment to said projections, said electromagnet disposed in circuit with said keys.

4. A display device comprising a cabinet, an observation window in said cabinet, a plurality of frames said frames containing cards to be displayed and being disposed laterally of said observation window and movable in said cabinet, said cards disposed in two tiers one card above another, a plurality of keys corresponding to the display cards, a plurality of fluid motors associated with said frames for moving said frames in said cabinet, a plurality of valves for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from said fluid motors, said valves operable by said keys and means associated with some of the keys ensuring stoppage of the movement of the associated frame at one level, said means comprising a stop bar disposed in the path of said frames and means operable by others of said keys for releasing said stop bar.

5. A display device comprising a cabinet, an observation window for said cabinet, a plurality of cards containing matter to be displayed disposed laterally of said observation window and movable in said cabinet, a plurality of keys corresponding to the display cards, a plurality of fluid motors associated with said cards for moving said cards in said cabinet, and means for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from said fluid motors, said means comprising a plurality of two-way valves and push rods for operating said valves said push rods operable by said keys.

6. A display device comprising a cabinet, an observation window for said cabinet, a plurality of frames containing cards to be displayed disposed laterally of said observation window and movable in said cabinet, said cards disposed on said frames in spaced relation, a plurality of keys corresponding to the display cards, a plurality of fluid motors associated with said frames for moving said frames in said cabinet, a plurality of valves for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid to and from said fluid motors, said valves operable by said keys and means associated with some only of said keys ensuring stoppage of the movement of the frames with one of said spaced cards in relation with the observation window others of said keys serving to move the frames to their full extent to display to View the others of said spaced cards. 7

NICHOLAS SANDOR. FELIX EDWARD LASZLO SANDOR. 

